Sunday, May 19, 2013

Making a Whodunit Shadow with Clipping Path Technique

A
shadow is a created with a light source. Graphically it is done with a
software tool with the use of a series of clipping path tools. A drop
shadow brings reality to a visual and makes it more natural.

The
wonders of clipping path will never cease. It is a simple tool; yet, it
is so versatile that it can redeem any kind of visual from its
imperfections. It is applicable in a variety of photo editing processes
and across many photographic needs. At the moment we focus on how a
whodunit shadow can make a picture look so smart with clipping path.
Often we see shadowy figures in whodunit series or posters of films
with detective themes. If you have got the picture of a dark, looming
and mysterious shadow in your mind, this is exactly what we are
referring to in this case. The shadow is clear and yet it can take an
ambiguous form. It’s the component that appears like a surreal object
near the main object...for example a detective holding a gun waiting in
the dark alley with a single source of light-i.e. a torch. In such a
case depending on the source of light the shadow is formed in the
foreground, background, or sideways. If the background is light the dark
shadow appears distinct. Any contrasting tone is sufficient to bring
the clarity. But what’s important for the photo editor to know is that
the light source will determine where the shadow will fall and how long
or short will it be. If the light too close to the object then the
shadow will be flashy. It will have less shape. If it is further away,
the shadow contours will be clearer. The photo editor will have to be
imaginative to know how the source of light will pull off the shadow
from the picture. And then work out how he will useclipping path to create the shadow.

If
the shadow needs to be created in the background then the path needs to
be traced behind the object. And to do that the background will have to
be simple. A complicated background
will not reveal the shadow properly. For example, if there is a red
brick wall, in the background the setting will have to be altered for
the creation of the shadow (presuming it is the night scene and the sun
has set). And is the shadow coming from the streetlight or a torch? Both
light sources give different kinds of shadows. Both will need different
kinds of clipping path style. An experienced editor will be able to
determine the contours of the shadow and its light source. He will then
decide how to trace the shadow on not only the object but also the
surrounding components along with it.

There
are different styles of clipping path tracing that can be applied to
shadow work-Right from basic tracing to isolating a background and
altering the canvas totally. Any company that offers photo editing has clipping path as its flag ship service. It is the primary tool to make
a distinctive background or spruce up the subject in a digital photo.
Along with this flagship service, the photo is given other suitable
effects. A shadow can easily be added discreetly without anyone
realizing whodunit.